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Home / Sports / Roger Federer walks out at Wimbledon in Uniqlo shirt, not Nike

Roger Federer walks out at Wimbledon in Uniqlo shirt, not Nike

Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2018 by Christie Tate

Federer, who was sporting a plain white bandana while playing Serbia's Dusan Lajovic in the first round, has yet to comment on the switch to the Japanese casual wear designer.

Don't expect to see Roger Federer rocking the Swoosh or Jordan Brand anytime soon, as he has officially left Nike to sign a deal worth $300 million over 10 years with Japanese clothing company Uniqlo.

According to Forbes magazine's recent list of the world's highest-paid athletes, Federer now earns $77.2m (£57.63m) a year, with his Nike sponsorship one of the most lucrative deals in sport.

Federer, contesting his 20th consecutive Wimbledon, is bidding to become only the second player to win nine singles titles on the London lawns after Martina Navratilova. I mean, besides the history and the mythical place that it is, you can not also practise on it", Federer told reporters."When you come out, there's a bit of uncertainty for both players...

The top seed's new sponsor only got one hour 19 minutes of airtime as Federer began in stunning fashion - dashing off the first set in 20 minutes - and never looking remotely troubled as he sauntered into the second round.

Federer parted ways with Nike in March in a deal previously said to be worth around £7.5million ($10m) a year.

During his partnership with Nike Federer created the iconic "RF" logo, which is owned by the brand. "I think that might help me, the big-time match play that I've had over the course of my career", Federer added. But the good news is that it will come with me at one point. "For now, I will be wearing Nike", he said. "It's also something that was very important for me, for the fans really". I have deep roots with Nike. This new contract marks a 300 per cent improvement on his old deal show that despite Federer's increasing years he remains a marketable commodity.